Suggested Pairing :
The Superior and Aged styles of Moscatel de Setúbal have a great personality and are “generous” on the full extent of the word. These are wines that age on wood and are not filtered when bottled. With age, comes notes of dried fruits and nuts, from which walnuts and hazelnuts stand out, as well as raisins, spices and fig, Ginja (cherry) jams, as well as hints of coffee and chocolate on the older wines. It is a true mix of unforgettable sensations.
In the region, you can find bottles of aged Moscatel that are 20, 30 or more than 40 years old. There are also wines with more than a 100 years in the barrel. Having a golden color that ranges from light topaz to amber, a silky texture and an intense palate, these wines combine well with dark chocolate or any desert based on dark chocolate, eggs, cinnamon or coffee. These subtle and enigmatic Moscatel wines are more than a drink with intense flavors, they are an escape, and a moment of freedom – that is contemplative, introspective and of renewal. Try sipping one of these Moscatels while having a good cigar.

Young Moscatel

(up to five years)

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Suggested Pairing :
The Moscatel de Setúbal wines in the earlier stages are drunk to feel the liberating freshness and a sense of lightness. These styles are fruity, floral, mind-dazzling, silky, romantic on the mouth and attractive to the eye. They are ideal for tippling, to go with some dried fruits or petiscos (small appetizer plates) as well as orange, lemon or chocolate desserts and sweets. On a social occasion, the Moscatel de Setúbal invites you to enter on a senses trip and emotions, that will last in the memory. Its flavor is so intense and insinuating, thus perfect for a pleasant talk with friends at night.

The Moscatel de Setúbal is an emblematic wine of the Setúbal Peninsula wine region and is one the treasures amongst portuguese wines. Prestigious wines have been produced for many years in this region, being appreciated by the general public as well as kings. In the times of King Dom Dinis (1261-1325), Moscatel was already well known and by 1381 large quantities of this wine had already been exported to England and King Richard II of England mentions the importance of Setúbal wine. King Dom Manuel, “The Venturer” aludes to the vineyards of Setúbal in a 1514 declaration. There are records of 350 barrels of Moscatel de Setúbal exports in 1675. It is said that King Louis XIV of France “the Sun King” (1638-1715) would always have this fortified wine at any of Versaille's events. On the banquet menu of the Order of Knights of Malta in 1797, the precious «Setúbal» wine is mentioned, amongst other notorious wines. In 1855, at the Paris World Expo, the Moscatel de Setúbal of José Maria da Fonseca was distinguished with a gold medal.

The following are references made by notorious personalities in the wine sector about the Moscatel de Setúbal and Moscatel Roxo:

João Ignacio Ferreira Lapa (1866). “The Moscatel Roxo is made with the moscatel (muscat) of the same color (roxo= purple), an exquisite plant, very aromatic and saccharine, that has, like most delicate plants, a low production and is very problematic. Its purple tones fade with the age of the plant, thus looking more like an old white Moscatel; but what it loses on its looks it gains in balsamic flavor, thus compensating with flavour for the loss of color.”

João Ignacio Ferreira Lapa (1867) wrote in «Memória sobre os processos de Vinificação» (“Memory of the Winemaking processes”) that “In Azeitão, two leagues away from Setúbal, there is the famous land from which our best Moscatels come from, belonging to the honorable José Maria da Fonseca, enologist of great knowledge and aptitude, who has been able to drive this specialization to such an extent, it can be said that he does not have any rival, neither in Portugal nor outside of the country.”

Count of Villa Maior (1875) - “Moscatel Roxos” - there is a small variety with a good production that provides the excellent Moscatel Roxo de Setúbal.”

Despite the ancestral production of wines from the Moscatel de Setúbal and Moscatel Roxo grape varieties as well as the history of these wines being documented since the eighth century, it was only in 1907 and 1908 that this region was officially regulated.

The Moscatel de Setúbal belongs to the quartet of the most acclaimed fortified wines of Portugal, along with Port, Madeira and Carcavelos. The Moscatels de Setúbal are always aged for a minimum of approximately two years, in oxidative style, despite whether or not the indication of the harvest year or age is printed on the label.

These wines are characeterized by their freshness and elegance, they are master-pieces from the combination of man and nature with unmatchable caracteristics...

The Moscatel de Setúbal wines are put on the market starting at 2 years of age, and may have the harvest year or the indications «10 years of age», «20 years of age»,« 30 years of age» and «more than 40 years of age» on the label, as long as the wine or one of the parcels that originated from the lot has the minimum indicated age. There is also a Superior denomination, which is attributed to wines of at least 5 years of age that have also obtained the quality classification by a panel of tasters.

history

The Moscatel de Setúbal stands out in the history of Portugal for its distinctive qualities amongst the fortified wines and is part of the culture, tradition and way of life in the Setúbal Peninsula.

It is not known the exact time when the plantation of wine started in the Setúbal Peninsula but it is estimated that the Phoenicians and the Greeks provided a strong push to the propagation of wine, thus inciting commercial trade with other civilizations throughout the Sado River estuary.

The prestige of the Moscatel de Setúbal grew further in the era of the “Sun King”. According to António Porto Franco, Louis XIV (1638-1715) would always require the fortified wine from Setúbal for all of his celebrations in Versailles.

The Moscatel de Setúbal “Torna-viagem” (round trip) is one of the major symbols and embassadors of these fortified wines.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, during the era of the Portuguese expansion, one of the products that was dispatched to India was the wine. In that golden period, following the era of the Discoveries, the Portuguese wines, namely the Moscatel de Setúbal were part of the ballast in the ships that carried products from Brazil and the Orient.

The consequence of this practice was the “Round Trip” wines. Occasionally, the wines that were destined for Brazil were not unloaded at their destination and would return, thus naming them “Round-Trip”. These trips would usually take six long months and the wines were kept in barrels spread throughout the ships' basements. During the voyage, the barrels were shaken by the waves, sometimes being exposed to the sun while others became submerged under water in the ships' bottoms. It became known that the Moscatel de Setúbal's qualities would evolve and improve under these conditions. This positive evolution of crossing the Equator twice was due the thermal dynamics by which the wines were subject to, along with the already mentioned transportation conditions. This practice resulted in priceless wines, in such way that the bottles that have been recently traded in auctions have attained prices of around 2,000 euros in 2012. The latest “Round-Trip” wines date back to the year 1900, but were recreated by José Maria da Fonseca in the year 2000, when he took a Moscatel de Setúbal from 1984 on a round-trip to Brazil on board the Portuguese Navy vessel Sagres, to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Portuguese Discovery of Brazil.

The fame of the Moscatel de Setúbal outside of Portugal is said to have started in the second half of the 14th century, when King Richard II of England became a regular importer of Moscatel de Setúbal. The sweet and jammy golden wine with a strong citrus character gained a place amongst the British nobility.

Main Varieties

Moscatel de Setúbal

This variety is known to have originated in Egypt, having spread to the Mediterranean from Alexandria, possibly during the time of the Roman Empire (Galet 1985). It is a grape of average strength and has a difficult flowering and fertilization and is prone to not fruiting after flowering. Resistant to drying, it's sensitive to mildew and powdery mildew. There are various types of Moscatel in the world (ex. the French Muscat, the Italian Moscato) and all of them with a significant concentration of aromatic (terpene) and flavor components. However, it's the Moscatel de Setúbal that has the best concentration and richness of these components. The typical aromas of Moscatel are well-known: citrus flowers and zest, honey, lime, rose, lychee, pear, date and raisin, which create memorable wines.

MOSCATEL ROXO

The wines produced with this grape varietal present an elevated level of sweetness, they are very aromatic and persistent in flavor. The home of the Moscatel Roxo grape (roxo means purple in Portuguese) is the Setúbal Peninsula. Its clusters are small and compact, with round, pinkish berries that have an extreme sweetness. This grape varietal, like the Moscatel de Setúbal, has a rich aromatic profile and contributes unequivocally to the aroma and flavor of the wine it produces. Compared with other wines of the Moscatel grape variety, this fortified wine has a drier and more complex aroma but no less rich. When tasting, it exceeds expectations created by the aroma palate, displaying a very fine highlight of spices, cherries and fig compote.

1

The grapes are harvested and immediately transported to the winery

2

The grapes are de-stemmed and crushed

3

The must, or fresh juice , resulting from the crushing , is left to ferment together with the skins (pellicular maceration)

4

The alcohol level of the grapes is analyzed

5

Addition of aguardente- a neutral grape spirit with an alcohol level between 52% and 86%, or another type of wine alcohol with an alcohol level of no less than 96% and that satisfies the other legal characteristics, in order to stop the fermentation process of the must

6

Wine remains in the tanks to macerate 6+ months until it's taken out to be filtered and racked

7

The skins that were in contact with the wine during the winter are pressed

8

An aging stage of approximately 2 years, either in stainless steel tanks or oak barrels. The loss from evaporation of the wine is called “a parte dos anjos” (the angels' part)

The Setúbal Peninsula is a unique region, whose wines are as generous and balanced as the region that sees them born. Mother Nature was magnanimous and refined: from with the two peninsulas, “drawn” by the two largest estuaries in Portugal, was born a region rich in biodiversity and fish and shellfish with both natural and protected areas. The framing by the Atlantic Ocean and the Tagus and Sado River estuaries, combined with a deep Mediterranean influence and geological formation provide a unique set of characteristics for wine production.

The Setúbal Peninsula also has one of the oldest denominations in Portugal - the region of Moscatel de Setúbal, whose demarcation was begun in 1907 and completed and confirmed in 1908. The Setúbal DO (Denomination of Origin) region is geographically bounded by the municipalities of Setúbal, Palmela, Montijo and the village of Castelo in the municipality of Sesimbra. This "terroir", which is the cradle of the Moscatel de Setúbal is unique: the joint annual rainfall of 550-750 milliliters and the 2,200 hours of sunshine poured over the sandy and clay – limestone soils is all seasoned with a handful of Atlantic breeze.

Península de Setúbal Regional Vine and Wine Comission (CVRPS)

The Regional Wine and Vine Commission of the Setúbal Peninsula is the certification authority for The Setúbal DO (Denomination of Origin) region, hence the Moscatel de Setúbal and Moscatel Roxo fortified wines and the wines with the Palmela DO and Península de Setúbal GI. The production area for the wines with this regional designation was known as the “Terras do Sado” (lands of the Sado River) region until 2009, when it was changed to the “Peninsula de Setúbal” (Setúbal Peninsula). The region covers the entire district of Setúbal, from the municipality of Montijo to Santiago de Cacém, while the area of Palmela DO, like Setúbal DO, is confined to the municipalities of Setúbal, Palmela, Montijo and the parish of Castelo in the municipality of Sesimbra.

The Brotherhood of Moscatel de Setúbal

In 2008, to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the creation of the Moscatel de Setúbal region, the Brotherhood of Moscatel de Setúbal was founded, launching a special type of glass to drink the Moscatel wine and a limited edition Moscatel de Setúbal wine commemorating the anniversary. The Brotherhood, as a private, non-profit cultural association, aides in the “defense, development and promotion of fortified wines in the region, under the Setúbal Denomination of Origin (DO) designation, certified as "VLQPRD” (Quality Fortified Wines Produced in a Specified Region) as well as covering the authorized traditional designations of “Moscatel de Setúbal” and “Moscatel Roxo”.
To achieve its purposes, the Brotherhood has amongst others, assignments to "organize evidence; wine competitions; promotion; collaborate with organizations, companies and individuals, as well as other brotherhoods, in carrying out activities involving viniculture at both regional and national levels. It also cooperates with economic agents who develop activities related to viticulture, tourism, gastronomy and sustainable development of the territory in the Setúbal Peninsula. The Brotherhood contributes, by all means in its power, for the defense, promotion, appreciation and marketing of the wines certified with the seals of "Setúbal", "Moscatel de Setúbal" and "Moscatel Roxo" in the country and abroad.

INTERNATIONAL AWARDS

PRODEXPO 2014 ( 1 )

Adega de Pegões Moscatel de Setúbal

Silver MedalCooperativa Agrícola Sto. Isidro de Pegões

Mundus Vini 2013 ( 3 )

Moscatel de Setúbal Casa Ermelinda Freitas

Medalha de OuroCasa Ermelinda Freitas - Vinhos, Lda

Contemporal Moscatel de Setúbal

Medalha de PrataCooperativa Agríc.Sto.Isidro de Pegões Crl

Moscatel Roxo 2009

Medalha de PrataSIVIPA, Soc. Vinicola de Palmela, S.A.

China Wine & Spirits Awards 2013 ( 1 )

Moscatel de Setúbal Contemporal

Medalha de PrataCooperativa Agrícola Sto. Isidro de Pegões CRL

Vinalies Internationales 2013 ( 3 )

Moscatel de Setúbal Superior, 2003

Medalha de PrataCasa Ermelinda Freitas Vinhos, Lda

Moscatel Roxo, 2009

Medalha de PrataSIVIPA, Soc. Vinícola de Palmela, SA

Sivipa Moscatel de Setubal superior 10 anos

Medalha de PrataSIVIPA SA

Challenge International du Vin 2013 ( 2 )

Moscatel de Setúbal 2003

Medalha de OuroCasa Ermelinda Freitas Vinhos, Lda

Moscatel de Setúbal, 2008

Medalha de PrataXavier Santana

International Wine Challenge 2013 ( 5 )

Bacalhôa Moscatel Roxo, 2001

Medalha de OuroBacalhoa Vinhos de Portugal, SA

Adega de Pegoes Moscatel de Setubal, NV

Medalha de OuroCooperativa Agrícola de Santo Isidro de Pegões

Bacalhôa Moscatel de Setúbal, 2009

Medalha de Pratabacalhôa Vinhos De Portugal, Sa

Casa Ermelinda Freitas - Moscatel de Setúbal, NV

Medalha de BronzeCasa Ermelinda Freitas - Vinhos LDA

Moscatel Superior 10 Anos, 2002

CommendedSIVIPA SA

International Wine & Spirits Competition 2013 ( 6 )

Vinho Branco Moscatel Contraforte 2012

Medalha de BronzeAdega Cooperativa de Palmela Crl

Vale dos Barris Vinho Branco Moscatel Regional 2012

Medalha de BronzeAdega Cooperativa de Palmela Crl

Alambre Moscatel de Setúbal 2008

Silver OutstandingJosé Maria da Fonseca Vinhos SA

Casa Ermelinda Fritas Moscatel de Setúbal Superior 2003

Silver OutstandingCasa Ermelinda Freitas

Bacalhôa Moscatel de Setúbal 2009

Medalha de PrataBacalhôa Vinhos de Portugal

Adega de Palmela Moscatel de Setúbal DOC 2010

Medalha de PrataAdega Cooperativa de Palmela Crl

Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2013 ( 4 )

Moscatel de Setúbal Superior, 2003

Medalha de OuroCasa Ermelinda Freitas Vinhos, lda

Moscatel Roxo, 2001

Medalha de PrataBacalhôa Vinhos de Portugal, S.A.

Moscatel de Setúbal, 2009

Medalha de OuroBacalhôa Vinhos de Portugal, S.A.

Moscatel de Setúbal

Medalha de PrataCoop. Agrícola St. Isidro de Pegões

Decanter World Wine Awards 2013 ( 5 )

Moscatel de Setúbal Superior, 2003

Medalha de OuroCasa Ermelinda Freitas Vinhos, Lda

Moscatel de Setúbal, 2011

Medalha de PrataSIVIPA

Moscatel Roxo, 2009

Medalha de OuroBacalhôa Vinhos de Portugal, S.A.

Moscatel de Setúbal Colheita 2009

Medalha de PrataBacalhôa Vinhos de Portugal, S.A.

Moscatel de Setúbal 2000

Regional TrophyBacalhôa Vinhos de Portugal, S.A.

Selezione del Sindaco 2013 ( 4 )

Moscatel de Setúbal Superior, 2003

Medalha de OuroCasa Ermelinda Freitas Vinhos, Lda

Moscatel de Setúbal, 2007

Medalha de PrataVenâncio da Costa Lima, Lda

Moscatel de Setúbal

Medalha de PrataCoop. Agricola Sto. Isidro de Pegões, Crl

Moscatel 10 Anos, 2002

Medalha de OuroSIVIPA, Soc. Vinícola de Palmela, SA

Muscats du Monde 2013 ( 5 )

Moscatel de Setubal Superior, 2003

Medalha de OuroCasa Ermelinda Freitas - Vinhos, Lda

Moscatel Roxo, 2001

Medalha de PrataBacalhôa - Vinhos de Portugal, S.A.

Moscatel Roxo - Domingos Soares Franco Colecção Privada, 2004

Medalha de PrataJosé Maria da Fonseca Vinhos, S.A.

Moscatel de Setúbal

Medalha de OuroVenâncio da Costa Lima, Lda

Moscatel Roxo, 2009

Medalha de OuroTOP 10 Melhores Moscatéis do Mundo em 2013
SIVIPA

Vinalies China 2013 ( 2 )

Vale dos Barris Moscatel 2012

Medalha de PrataAdega Cooperativa de Palmela

Moscatel de Setúbal Casa Ermelinda Freitas

Medalha de OuroCasa Ermelinda Freitas

Vinalies Internationales 2012 ( 1 )

Xavier Santana Moscatel Roxo Tinto, 2009, DOC Setúbal

Medalha de OuroXavier Santana, Lda

Challenge International du Vin 2012 ( 2 )

Roxo Sivipa, 2008 - DOC Moscatel de setúbal

Medalha de OuroSIVIPA

Bacalhôa, 2005 - DOC Moscatel de Setúbal

Medalha de PrataBacalhôa Vinhos de Portugal

International Wine Challenge 2012 ( 4 )

Moscatel Roxo, SIVIPA, 2009

Medalha de BronzeSIVIPA, SA

Bacalhôa Moscatel de Setúbal, 2007

Medalha de BronzeBacalhôa Vinhos de Portugal

Bacalhôa Moscatel de Setúbal, 2005

Medalha de PrataBacalhôa Vinhos de Portugal

Bacalhôa Moscatel de Setúbal, 2000

Troféu e Medalha de OuroBacalhôa Vinhos de Portugal

Concours Mondial de Bruxelles 2012 ( 2 )

Domingos Soares Private Collection - Moscatel Roxo 2003

Medalha de PrataJoseé Maria da Fonseca Vinhos SA

Bacalhôa Moscatel Roxo, 2000

Medalha de OuroBacalhôa Vinhos de Portugal, SA

Decanter World Wine Awards 2012 ( 2 )

Bacalhôa, 2007

International TrophyBacalhôa Vinhos de Portugal

Bacalhôa Moscatel Roxo, 2000

Regional TrophyBacalhôa Vinhos de Portugal

Selezione del Sindaco 2012 ( 2 )

Moscatel Roxo, 2009

Pontuação: 84.00 Xavier Santana Sucessores, Lda

Moscatel de Setúbal, 2005

Pontuação: 91.20Adega Cooperativa de Palmela

Citadelles du Vin 2012 ( 1 )

Adega de Palmela Moscatel de Setúbal, 2009

Medalha de PrataAdega Cooperativa de Palmela (Setúbal)

Muscats du Monde 2012 ( 5 )

Moscatel de Setubal do Malo

Medalha de OuroMalo ToJo Estates Lda

Moscatel de Setubal DO - Venancio Costa Lima

Medalha de Ouro Venancio da Costa Lima, Lda

Moscatel de Setubal DOC

Medalha de PrataSIVIPA, Soc. Vinícola de Palmela, SA

Moscatel de Setubal DO - Adega de Pegões

Medalha de PrataCoop. Agricola Sto. Isidro de Pegões, Crl

Moscatel de Setubal DOC - Reserva Antonio Saramago

Medalha de PrataAntonio Saramago Vinhos

The Wine Advocate 2010 by Robert Parker ( 1 )

Colheita de 1947 da casa José Maria da Fonseca

Robert Parker 100 pontos

NATIONAL AWARDS

XIII Concurso de Vinhos da Península de Setúbal 2013 ( 10 )

Moscatel de Setúbal Bacalhôa 2001

Medalha de OuroBacalhôa - Vinhos de Portugal, S.A.

Malo Moscatel de Setúbal 2003 Superior

Medalha de OuroMalo – Tojo Estates, Lda

Moscatel de Setúbal Alambre 20 Anos

Medalha de OuroJosé Maria da Fonseca Vinhos, S.A.

Vale dos Barris 2012 Moscatel

Medalha de OuroAdega Cooperativa de Palmela, CRL

Família Horácio Simões 2008

Medalha de OuroHorácio dos Reis Simões

Vale dos Barris 2012 Moscatel de Setúbal

Melhor BrancoAdega Cooperativa de Palmela, CRL

DSF Colecção Privada 2012, Moscatel Roxo

Medalha de OuroJosé Maria da Fonseca Vinhos, S.A.

Vale dos Barris 2012 Moscatel de Setúbal

Melhor Vinho - ExcellentAdega Cooperativa de Palmela, CRL

Bacalhôa 2001, Moscatel Roxo

Melhor Vinho GenerosoBacalhôa Vinhos de Portugal, S.A.

Moscatel de Setúbal Bacalhôa 2000

Medalha de OuroBacalhôa - Vinhos de Portugal, S.A.

Prémios Revista de Vinhos 2012 ( 3 )

Excellent Setúbal, Moscatel Roxo Superior

Melhor Moscatel de SetúbaCasa Agrícola Horácio Simões

Moscatel Roxo, 2001

Melhor Moscatel de SetúbaBacalhôa Vinhos de Portugal, S.A.

Moscatel Roxo 20 Anos JMF

Prémio ExcelênciaJosé Maria da Fonseca Vinhos SA

I Concurso Ibérico do Moscatel 2013 ( 5 )

Malo Moscatel de Setúbal Superior 2013

Distinção "Melhor MoscateMalo – Tojo Estates, Lda

Malo Moscatel de Setúbal Superior 2013

Medalha Grande OuroMalo – Tojo Estates, Lda

Casa Ermelinda Freitas Moscatel Superior 2013

Medalha de OuroCasa Ermelinda Freitas – Vinhos, Lda

Adega de Palmela Moscatel de Setúbal Superior 2005

Medalha de OuroAdega Cooperativa de Palmela, CRL

Loboroxo 2008

Medalha de OuroCasa Agrícola Assis Lobo

Vinipax/FIJEV 2013 ( 4 )

Adega de Palmela Moscatel de Setúbal Superior 2005

Melhor Vinho FortificadoAdega Cooperativa de Palmela CRL

Adega de Palmela Moscatel de Setúbal Superior 2005

TOP 3 Vinhos FortificadosAdega Cooperativa de Palmela CRL

Adega de Pegões Moscatel de Setúbal

TOP 3 Vinhos FortificadosCooperativa Agrícola Sto. Isidro de Pegões

Família Horácio Simões Moscatel Roxo 2008

TOP 3 Vinhos FortificadosCasa Agrícola Horácio Simões

Prémios Revista de Vinhos 2013 ( 1 )

Filipa Tomaz da Costa

Enólogo Vinhos Generosos Bacalhôa - Vinhos de Portugal, S.A.

Concurso Nacional de Vinhos 2012 ( 2 )

Venâncio da Costa Lima Moscatel de Setúbal Reserva, 2007

PrestígioAdega Coop. Sto. Isidro de Pegões

Bacalhôa Moscatel de Setúbal, 2007

Medalha de PrataBacalhôa Vinhos de Portugal

XII Concurso de Vinhos da Península de Setúbal 2012 ( 4 )

Bacalhôa 2007 DO Moscatel de Setúbal

Medalha de OuroBacalhôa Vinhos Portugal, SA

Horácio dos Reis Simões Moscatel Roxo

Medalha de OuroHorácio dos Reis Simões

Horácio dos Reis Simões, Moscatel Roxo

Melhor Vinho GenerosoCasa Agrícola Horácio dos Reis Simões

Horácio dos Reis Simões, Moscatel Roxo

Melhor Vinho - Excellent Casa Agrícola Horácio dos Reis Simões

The Moscatel de Setúbal is well fit for several gastronomic pairings. Delight yourself with a young Moscatel de Setúbal while tasting some petiscos (Portugal's version of tapas, small appetizer plates). You may also appreciate having an aged Moscatel de Setúbal or Moscatel Roxo with sweets and cheese.

The website is a project of the Península de Setúbal Regional Vine and Wine Comission that aims to promote the wines of Setúbal Peninsula region. Thanks to the high standards of Moscatel de Setúbal, as well as other wines from this region, it is important to enhance the wine heritage and its inseparable cultural legacy.

It is also important to add to this goal the ambition to create an interface between companies, institutional figures and of course citizens.